Convertibel cantilevered shelf

ABSTRACT

In preferred form, a convertible sliding shelf for a domestic refrigerator which is normally supported for sliding movement on a frame hung upon notched vertical brackets affixed to a rear wall of the refrigerator. The shelf lifts out of the frame and may be separately hung from the same brackets as the frame.

United States Patent lnventor Keith K. Kesling Vandalia, Ohio Appl. No. 823,648

Filed May 12, 1969 Patented Apr. 20, 1971 Assignee General Motors Corporation Detroit, Mich.

CONVERTIBLE CANTILEVERED SHELF 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 312/330,

312/351 Int. Cl A47b 88/00 Field ofSearch 312/351,

1 330, 350; 108/143; 21 1/143, 153; 206/46 (Furniture); 217/(No Search); 220/(No Search); 190/(No Search) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994,439 8/1961 Kolkey 108/143 3,212,836 10/1965 Johnson 312/351 3,311,072 3/1967 Pattison 312/351X Primary ExaminerRichard J. Scanlan, Jr. Assistant Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Altorneys-Warren E. Finken and John C. Evans ABSTRACT: In preferred form, a convertible sliding shelf for a domestic refrigerator which is normally supported for sliding movement on a frame hung upon notched vertical brackets affixed to a rear wall of the refrigerator. The shelf lifts out of the frame and may be separately hung from the same brackets as the frame.

PATENTED'APR20I97I SHEET 1 OF 2 T 5 m m n m A TTORNEY be lifted from the frame and separately mounted in the refrigerator.

Standardization of basic parts for use in different models of a product has long been known as a means to effectively reduce the products cost. This method may reduce the number of diverse parts which are necessary to have in inventory and may allow the manufacturer to concentrate on a lesser number of particular elements so as to improve the product's overall quality.

It is desirable in the manufacture of domestic refrigerators to utilize standard shelfing in substantially all of its models. The addition of optional accessories may increase the utility of these shelves in deluxe models.

The subject refrigerator includes a wire shelf having cross support members whose ends are supported by side rails of a support frame. Tracks are integrally formed on the side rails to permit the shelf to slide thereon. Parallel crossbars extend between the side rails to support the frame on notched brackets attached to the rear wall of the refrigerator. The wire shelf itself is detachable from the support frame for separate use without the frame as in economy model refrigerators. Parallel crossbars on the shelf are used to hang the shelf on the notched brackets.

Therefore an 'object of the inventor is the provision of standardized shelling for diverse models of a domestic refrigerator which alternately may be hung on notched brackets attached to the rear wall of the refrigerator or supported within a frame which is hung from the same notched brackets and which allows the shelf to slide with respect to the frame. The latter alternative provides a more convenient slideout shelf for use in a deluxe model refrigerator.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator shelf broken away to show how its supporting frame is hung on rear wall notched brackets;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the shelf and support frame;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shelf in section taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectioned view taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectioned view taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a refrigerator shelf broken away to show how the shelf is alternately hung on rear wall notched brackets without its support frame.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, a shelf assembly 10 is illustrated which is hung on a refrigerators rear liner wall 12 and between side liner walls 13. Shelf assembly 10 includes a support frame 14 consisting of parallel side rails 16, 17 and crossmembers or bars 18, 20 and 22 extending normally between the side rails.

The frame 14 is hung within the refrigerator on brackets 24 which are attached to the rear liner wall 12 of the refrigerator. The brackets 24 have .a plurality of hooklike notches 26 into which crossbar 22 of ,the frame can be inserted. The moment around bar 22 caused by the weight of the cantilevered shelf assembly 10 is resisted by the lower crossbar 20 which bears against faces 28 of brackets 24. This support arrangement permits vertical adjustment of the shelf assembly l0.

A slidable wire shelf '30 is supported in frame 14 within the refrigerator. The shelf 30 includes a plurality of closely spaced parallel wires 32 which form an article supporting surface.

Wires 32 are attached to crossmember or bars 34, 36, 38 and 40 to impart rigidity to the shelf. Sideplates 42, 44 extend parallel to wire 32 and are attached to the crossbars 34, 36, 38

and40asshown in FIG. 2.

The shelf 30 IS supported on frame 14 to allow sliding movement along the side rails 16 and 17. More particularly, projecting ends 48 on crossbar 38 and the bottom edge 49 of sideplates 42 and 44 rest upon inwardly turned integral edges 50 of side rails 16 and 17. FIG. 4 illustrates the edges 50 which form surfaces 51 on which the ends 48 of shelf 30 slide. Upward movement of the rear portion of shelf 30 is prevented by struck out integral portions 52 which extend inwardly part of the length of side rails 16 and 17 and parallel to turned edges 50. Edges 50 and portions 52 define channels 54in which ends 48 of crossbar 38 may slide. The ends 48 are capped by nylon cups 56 to minimize friction when they are moved in channels 54 which occurs as shelf 30 is slid along frame 14.

The front end of shelf 30, or more particularly, the bottom edges 49 of sideplates 42 and 44 are supported upon nylon bushings 58 which rest against edges 50 as seen in FIG. 5. An upstanding tab portion 60 on the nylon bushing 58 limits sliding motion of shelf 30 as ends 61 on the middle crossbar 36 contact the tab.

As seen in FIG. 3 stainless steel cover 62 is snapped over the forward end of shelf 30 to cover and protect the forward ends of the wires 32.

As previously stipulated, occasionally it is desirable to utilize the same basic wire shelf 30 without the support frame 14. The wire shelf 30 in the present invention is separable from the support frame 14 by sliding the shelf 30 outwardly and lifting its front end to cause ends 61 of the middle crossbar 36 and ends 48 of crossbar 38 to clear the upstanding tab 60. Shelf 30 can then be used separately as a refrigerator shelf.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, shelf 30 may be alternately hung on the notched brackets 24 by slipping crossbar 40 into hooklike notches 26. The moment around bar 40 caused by the weight of the cantilevered shelf is resisted by the lower crossbar 38 which bears against faces 28 of brackets 24.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein described constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adapted.

I claim:

l. A domestic refrigerator having a convertible sliding shelf assembly comprising: a generally rectangular frame having spaced side rails; two vertically spaced crossmembers normally extending between said side rails; said side rails having inwardly bent bottom edge portions which form horizontal support surfaces between said rails; vertical brackets affixed to an interior refrigerator wall and having a plurality 'of vertically spaced hooklike notches therein; the upper of said two vertically spaced crossmembers supported within said hooklike notches in said vertical brackets for supporting said frame within said refrigerator; the lower of said two vertically spaced crossmembers being located with respect to said upper crossmember to bear against said bracket to maintain the frame substantially horizontal; a generally rectangular shelf having spaced sideplates and a substantially horizontal surface formed therebetween; said shelf supported adjacent its sideplates on said horizontal support surfaces of said frame to permit sliding movement of said shelf with respect to said frame; two vertically spaced crossbars normally extending between said sideplates to strengthen said shelf and prevent distortion of its substantially horizontal surface; the upper of said two vertically spaced crossbars adapted to be inserted within said hooklike notches in said vertical brackets for alternately hanging said shelf separately without said frame; the lower of said two vertically spaced crossbars being located with respect to said upper crossbar to bear againt said bracket for maintaining said shelf substantially horizontal when separately hung in said refrigerator. 

1. A domestic refrigerator having a convertible sliding shelf assembly comprising: a generally rectangular frame having spaced side rails; two vertically spaced crossmembers normally extending between said side rails; said side rails having inwardly bent bottom edge portions which form horizontal support surfaces between said rails; vertical brackets affixed to an interior refrigerator wall and having a plurality of vertically spaced hooklike notches therein; the upper of said two vertically spaced crossmembers supported within said hooklike notches in said vertical brackets for supporting said frame within said refrigerator; the lower of said two vertically spaced crossmembers being located with respect to said upper crossmember to bear against said bracket to maintain the frame substantially horizontal; a generally rectangular shelf having spaced sideplates and a substantially horizontal surface formed therebetween; Said shelf supported adjacent its sideplates on said horizontal support surfaces of said frame to permit sliding movement of said shelf with respect to said frame; two vertically spaced crossbars normally extending between said sideplates to strengthen said shelf and prevent distortion of its substantially horizontal surface; the upper of said two vertically spaced crossbars adapted to be inserted within said hooklike notches in said vertical brackets for alternately hanging said shelf separately without said frame; the lower of said two vertically spaced crossbars being located with respect to said upper crossbar to bear against said bracket for maintaining said shelf substantially horizontal when separately hung in said refrigerator. 